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Starting with the budget signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in February 2009, the revisions to that in July 2009 and the record 100-day late budget signed in early October, public schools have been shorted $12.1 billion.

And because temporary tax increases enacted in February 2009 will trigger off, lowering the state revenue available to support public schools, the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2011 will be just as grim for the state’s 6.2 million pupils and 300,210 teachers. &nbsp&nbsp&nbspRead more »

Numerous California cities are named for saints, a leftover from the missionary zeal of the 17th and 18th centuries.

San Francisco is Spanish for St. Francis and San Jose is St. Joseph, the father of Jesus. Santa Maria, his mother. San Bernardino is St. Bernard of Menthon, he of the cask-carrying rescue dogs. &nbsp&nbsp&nbspRead more »

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(Editor’s Note: This synopsis of the state’s fiscal condition, mildly edited by California’s Capitol, was sent to clients of Greenburg Traurig, an international law firm. Among the entities Greenburg’s Sacramento lawyers represent are El Paso Corporation, the American Council of Life Insurers, Otis Elevator Company, MillerCoors LLC and Novartis Pharmaceuticals.)
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California’s Fiscal Outlook 2011-2012 —
A $25 Billion Headache

Just one month after the passage of the latest budget in California’s history, the non-partisan Legislative Analyst’s Office finds that the state faces a whopping $25 billion budget deficit. &nbsp&nbsp&nbspRead more »

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire today signed an executive order suspending and limiting the state rule making process to help small businesses and local governments as the state continues its economic recovery.

“State rules are essential to protecting the health, safety, welfare and quality of life for Washingtonians. &nbsp&nbsp&nbspRead more »

I had a fascinating conversation the other day with a San Juan Capistrano rancher — Annie Haven of the Haven Family Ranch.

Not only does she raise free-range, grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic free longhorn and Angus cattle, she makes a delightful manure tea that is good for your garden and is as pure as the cattle that produce it. &nbsp&nbsp&nbspRead more »

Using a wire cage and ping-pong style lottery balls, State Auditor Elaine Howle selected the first eight members of the 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission, charged with drawing legislative district lines for the 2012 election.

The commission strips that power from state Senate and Assembly members and the state’s 53-member congressional delegation who opposed the initiatives creating the commission and appear to still be working to undermine the commission’s authority. &nbsp&nbsp&nbspRead more »

The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada has intensified in the past week, sparking calls for increased patrols to stop the illegal immigration. The recent actions of the Tea Party are prompting an exodus among left-leaning citizens who fear they’ll soon be required to hunt, pray and agree with Bill O’Reilly and Glenn Beck. &nbsp&nbsp&nbspRead more »

Unsuccessful in convincing voters to eliminate a commission charged with drawing new legislative and congressional districts lines, lawmakers appear to be preparing to mount a legal challenge.

The authority of the 14-member citizens commission, which was created by Proposition 11 on the November 2008 ballot, was expanded to include congressional districts by Proposition 20, approved by voters November 2. &nbsp&nbsp&nbspRead more »